Things to do in Lisbon
Lisbon's Tram 28 trundles along cobbled streets towards St George's Castle in the Alfama and through the Bairro Alto and Chiado districts where the Carmo Convent ruins overlook the grid-like Baixa. Riverside Belém deserves an entire day for its maritime heritage and Manueline architecture at the Jerónimos Monastery and Discoveries Monument. Upriver in modern Parque das Nações the Oceanarium's sharks are a family favourite. Don't miss Sintra's fantasy retreat, the Pena Palace.
Museums and Galleries
Expand all1. National Tile Museum - History of Portuguese tiles
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Housed in a former convent in São João, the National Tile Museum is home to a vast collection of valuable azulejos, traditional Portuguese tiles. Gems include 15th-century Moorish tiles and large wall panels dating back to the 18th century.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€4; concessions €2; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Tue 2pm-6pm; Wed-Sun 10am-6pm
Address
4, Rua da Madre de Deus, Lisbon 1900-312
Telephone
+351 21 810 0340
2. MuDe - Design museum
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In its temporary home in the Baixa, MuDe displays a selection of pieces from the Francisco Capelo collection, portraying the history of design and fashion since 1930. In 2010, MuDe moves to Santa Catarina as a fully fledged fashion and design museum.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Tue-Thu & Sun 10am-8pm; Fri & Sat 10am-10pm
Address
24, Rua Augusta, Lisbon 1100-53
Telephone
+ 351 21 888 6117
3. National Museum of Ancient Art - Pre-19th-century masterpieces
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The National Museum of Ancient Art in Santos houses Portugal's most prized art collection, including Portuguese sculptures and paintings from the 13th-19th centuries. Also on display are European paintings, ceramics and textiles, and art treasures from former colonies.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€4; concessions €2; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Tue 2pm-6pm; Wed-Sun 10am-6pm
Address
Rua das Janelas Verdes, Lisbon 1249-017
Telephone
+351 21 391 2800
4. Berardo Museum - Contemporary and modern art
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Located in the Belém district, the Berardo Museum showcases modern and contemporary art from all over the world. Themed exhibitions are presented in rotation so expect anything from Surrealism to Pop Art, painting, photography and installations.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily 10am-7pm (until 10pm Fri, & Sat during Jul-Aug)
Address
Centro Cultural de Belém, Praça do Império, Lisbon 1449-003
Telephone
+351 21 361 2878
5. Calouste Gulbenkian Museum - Eclectic art collection
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The Calouste Gulbenkian Museum in São Sebastião boasts collections of Oriental and Classical Art from Egypt to the Far East, and European Art, including Renaissance works and René Lalique pieces. The building is a leading example of 1960s Portuguese architecture.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€4; concessions €2; under-12s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-5.45pm
Address
45A, Avenida de Berna, Lisbon 1067-001
Telephone
+351 21 782 3000
Attractions
Expand all6. Carmo Convent - Earthquake memorial and museum
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Built in the 15th century, today the Carmo Convent ruins in the Chiado district stand as a poignant reminder of the 1755 earthquake. As well as contemplating the ruins, make time for its compact archaeological collection which includes Egyptian pieces.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€2.50; concessions €1.50; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 10am-6pm (until 5pm in winter)
Address
4, Largo do Carmo, Lisbon 1200-092
Telephone
+351 21 347 8629
Transport
Baixa-Chiado or Rossio metro; elevator Santa Justa
Website
7. Jerónimos Monastery - Manueline architecture
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site and national icon, the Jerónimos Monastery in Belém is a masterpiece of early 16th-century Portuguese Manueline architecture. Highlights include elaborately carved interior features, peaceful cloisters, explorer Vasco da Gama's tomb and the refectory.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€6; concessions €2.40-€3; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Tue-Sun 10am-6pm (until 5pm Oct-Apr)
Address
Praça do Império, Lisbon 1400-206
Telephone
+351 21 362 00 34
8. Belém Tower - Medieval lookout
Show more Built to guard Lisbon in the 16th century, Belém Tower is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Jutting into the Tagus River in Belém, the exterior features ornate Manueline religious and maritime carvings. Climb to the top for city views.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€4; concessions €1.60-€2; under-14s free
Opening Hours
Oct-Apr Tue-Sun 10am-5pm; May-Sep Tue-Sun 10am-6.30pm
Address
Avenida de Brasília, Lisbon 1400-038
Telephone
+351 21 362 0034
9. St George's Castle - Ancient fortress
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As a testament to centuries of Lisbon history, St George's Castle stands on top of the city's highest hill, dominating the ancient Alfama quarter. After enjoying panoramic city views, climb the reconstructed battlements for even headier sights.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€5; under-10s free
Opening Hours
Nov-Feb daily 9am-6pm; Mar-Oct daily 9am-9pm
Address
Alfama, Lisbon 1100-129
Telephone
+351 21 880 0620
10. Discoveries Monument - Homage to Portuguese explorers
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Built in 1960 to mark the fifth centenary of Henry the Navigator's death, the Discoveries Monument has a riverside location in the Belém district. This concrete caravel is adorned with sculptures of Golden-Age explorers and offers Tagus River views.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€2.50 (viewing platform); concessions €1.50; under-7s free
Opening Hours
Oct-Apr Tue-Sun 10am-6pm; May-Sep Tue-Sun 10am-7pm
Address
Avenida de Brasília, Lisbon 1400-038
Telephone
+351 21 303 1950
11. Oceanarium - Sealife centre
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Located in Parque das Nações, the Oceanarium is a popular aquarium, home to sea creatures of four coastal habitats. Linking these is the Global Ocean, a two-storey tank of sharks, rays and giant one-tonne sun fish.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€11; seniors €6; 4-12s €5.50; under-4s free
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct daily 10am-8pm; Nov-Mar daily 10am-7pm
Address
Doca dos Olivais, Lisbon 1990-005
Telephone
+351 21 891 7002
12. Pena Palace - Fantasy royal retreat
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A striking combination of yellow and pink dominates the exterior of Pena Palace in Sintra, built as a royal retreat in 1839. Indulge your sense of fantasy as you explore the pastiche of Moorish and late Gothic Portuguese architecture inside.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€8; concessions €6; under-6s free
Opening Hours
Apr-Sep daily 10am-7pm; Oct-Mar daily 10am-6pm
Address
Estrada da Pena, Sintra, Lisbon 2710-609
Special things to do
Expand all13. Edward VII Park - City-centre park
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The Edward VII Park in Campolide is criss-crossed with paths, trimmed hedges and flower beds and provides panoramic city views. Home to tropical greenhouses and lakeside restaurants, there is also a garden dedicated to Portuguese diva Amália Rodrígues.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
Free
Opening Hours
Daily dawn-dusk
Address
Edward VII Park, Lisbon 1070-099
Transport
Marquês de Pombal or Parque metro
14. Tram 28 - Historic city-centre ride
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Rickety old Tram 28 weaves through Lisbon's historic centre. Starting at Martim Moniz, it heads for the Roman settlements of the Alfama quarter, through bustling Baixa with its elegant squares and into bohemian Bairro Alto, popular with artists and writers.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€1.40 (single)
Opening Hours
Eastbound Mon-Fri 6.20am-11.20pm; Sat 6.15am-11.05pm; Sun 7.25am-11.05pm. Westbound Mon-Fri 5.40am-11.10pm; Sat 5.45am-10.35pm; Sun 6.45am-10.35pm
Address
Martim Moniz Square, Lisbon 1100-151
Telephone
+351 21 361 3000
15. Botanic Garden - City retreat
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Tucked away in the Bairro Alto district, the Botanic Garden is a lush retreat from the afternoon sun. Wander along mosaic paths under tall palms, take in the scents of the herb garden and visit the colourful butterfly house.Show this on mapE-mail this item
Cost
€1.50; concessions €0.75; under-6s free
Opening Hours
Apr-Oct Mon-Fri 9am-8pm, Sat & Sun 10am-8pm; Nov-Mar Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Sat & Sun 10am-6pm
Address
58, Rua da Escola Politécnica, Lisbon 1250-102
Telephone
+351 21 392 1800
